by NAK Baldron
"You look magnificent," Slava said.
Kandice blushed a little. "Thank you."
The living room looked much the same. However, next to the typical vodka bottle were two bottles of wine and a bottle of whiskey.
"Sit and relax," Slava said. "They will be here soon."
"Do you want a drink?" Lance asked Kandice over the counter.
"No," she lied.
He was staring at her chest, which made her heart race. A drink sounded great, but it was more important to keep her wits about her than trying to take the edge off. Kandice could smell the vegetables Lance was sauteing in a pan. It made her stomach groan for comfort food.
"Anything new happen with the mayor?" she asked Slava.
"He has added more security," he said. "He had a crew out to add security cameras throughout the grounds."
"How does this change our plans then?" She worried it would throw everything into disarray, and today of all days.
Sweat covered Lance's brow. "The plan will move forward as planned."
He took a small sip of his vodka. It had hardly shrunk.
"We'll deal with the cameras when we get to the property," Lance said. "Perhaps Blake will have a clever idea. He seems quite gifted when it comes to these sorts of things."
"There is always brute force," Slava said. "You are more than fast enough to disable a camera without it catching you."
"Regardless," Lance said, "I intended to change before going over the wall."
At precisely 1:30 PM, the doorbell rang.
Slava looked at the door in surprise. When he opened it, the twins walked in without saying a word. They were a perfect copy of each other, reminding her of the twins from the Shining, and her skin crawled.
"Is this the girl?" the twins asked in unison as they entered the living room.
"Yes," Slava said. "This is Kandice." He lifted his hand toward Kandice.
She stood up. "Mr. Biancardi, Mr. Biancardi, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"She lies," the twins said in unison. "But she's a beauty, so we'll forgive her."
They turned to Lance. "How goes the fight?"
"Good," Lance said. "We're planning to attack at the end of the month."
"Excellent. Cara will be glad to hear it. Now, Kandice, please sit."
She sat down in her usual spot, and they both sat across from her. They sat so close to each other, they were touching. Their proximity to each other made her feel even more uncomfortable. It felt like they were touching her in a way.
While their suits were the same dark gray, their shirts had a different blue striped pattern and their ties were yellow. One had dark blue spots while the other had light blue. It was a small difference, but enough for Kandice to tell them apart.
Their olive eyes stared at Kandice with intensity. It made her feel much like a fly caught in a spider's web.
They smiled, and their sharpened teeth shone. "Kandice, why don't you tell us how you met these men."
Kandice glanced at Slava.
"Don't look to them," the twins told her. "Lies will not do. Slava, leave us."
Slava wasted no time and went to the garage.
Kandice explained her short time tracking Aether Walkers by night, and her run-in with Lance during one of these outings.
"Aether Walker," they said. "This is a nice phrase. Continue."
Once her story of tracking Lance down the second time was complete, the twins looked away from her for the first time. They looked into each other's eyes for a minute and Kandice regretted not taking Lance up on the offer for vodka.
The twins looked back at Kandice. The next moment, the twin on the right opened the bottle of vodka and poured her a glass.
"Drink?" they asked, and the twin handed her the glass.
"Thank you."
They can sense my thoughts? This'll go over well.
"Lance, two wine glasses," they said.
Lance came around the counter with the glasses and handed them to the twins. As he walked back to the kitchen, he gave Kandice a reassuring look.
The twin on the left opened the bottle of Merlot and poured a small portion of wine into each glass. They both lifted their glasses and swirled them around.
"When did you first see Them?"
"You mean Aether Walkers?" she asked.
"Yes."
Kandice didn't want to share this. It was too personal. Over the past month, she'd done well not to dwell on her mother's death. It felt good, like the progress people talk about when they see a therapist. They had no right to know such a personal story. They each smelled their wine, then took a small sip.
"This will go best if you answer our questions."
Kandice understood their meaning and explained about her mother's death. Upon hearing her describe the Cthulhu-like creature that had attacked with its tentacles, the twins raised their hands to silence her and looked at each other.
This time, they didn't break eye contact for what felt like an eternity to Kandice. Something was happening between them, but it wasn't clear what. They seemed to communicate with each other through telepathy.
Lance had finished cooking and was setting the table.
"We are familiar with this one," the twins said. "It has been around for many years. Was your mother a seer?"
"No," Kandice said.
"Uncertainty. Do you know this, or are you assuming?"
Kandice couldn't be one hundred percent sure, but her mother had never reacted to an Aether Walker in her presence. Though, there was no way to know since she'd never seen one herself before the night her mom died.
"She wasn't a seer," Kandice said.
"Your father then?" the twins asked.
"No."
They broke eye contact and looked at one another again.
Kandice looked behind her to Lance to beg for help with her eyes, but Lance shook his head. Being alone with nobody to converse with or reassure her was doing a number on her nerves. Her hands were sweaty, and her heart was racing. She took a deep drink from her glass and finished the vodka.
"It's time to test you," the twins said, not breaking eye contact.
"Lunch is ready," Lance said. "Perhaps we could all eat before the test?"
They each took a deep breath. "It smells great. Food will help fortify her."
They ate in near silence. The only time someone spoke was when they asked for a dish. The twins finished the entire bottle of Merlot, and Kandice drank two more glasses of vodka. Her head was a little foggy when they finished eating.
Slava started the dishes.
"You can use the garage, when you're ready," Lance said.
He finished clearing the table and helped Slava with the dishes.
Kandice and the twins sat for several minutes. They switched between staring at her and looking into each other's eyes. If it hadn't been for the vodka, she would have lost her nerve.
"Let's begin," they said. "Kandice, please come with us."
The garage had padded mats on the floor, and the twins stood at the far wall, away from the door. It was 3:00 PM, and the garage was blistering hot, but Kandice noticed the twins weren't sweating in the slightest. They looked just as comfortable as when they were inside. Within a minute, Kandice was sweating.
There's no way they're human.
"We want you to shift," they said.
"I'll ruin my dress," she said. "And I don't have any seals."
"Go ask them for a seal."
Kandice walked into the kitchen and explained what the twins wanted. Slava retrieved a seal from his room, and Lance offered to let her wear some of his clothes, to not ruin her dress.
She took the seal from Slava and carved her symbol into the leather with a kitchen knife. Once finished, Lance came back into the kitchen with basketball shorts and a t-shirt.
"This has a pull string, so I think you'll get it to fit." He handed her the clothes.
She thanked them both with a reluctant sigh and stopped in the bathroom ne
xt to the garage to change clothes. Her dress hung on the spare towel bar. It would have been easier to prepare had anyone in the house been more open about The Council.
When she walked back into the garage, the twins looked away from one another and back at her. "Ready?"
"I guess," she said.
They took three steps apart from each other. "Shift."
Kandice lifted the t-shirt and slapped the seal against her stomach. Her body began the transformation the instant it touched her skin. Within moments, her scales appeared, along with the large spikes down her back. She'd grown to over eight feet tall and was looking down at the twins.
"Impressive," they said. "Now, attack us."
Kandice didn't hesitate for a second. It was about time she turned the tables. She swiped with all her might at the twin on her left.
* * *
Kandice woke up on the ground with her shirt ripped open and not covering her right breast. The twins were standing over her staring. She covered herself and sat up in shock.
It had been foolish to think she had a chance in defeating them. A wave of embarrassment rolled over her from their stares.
"What the fuck happened?" she demanded.
Lance and Slava opened the garage door.
The twins looked at each other before speaking. "She has passed."
They looked toward Lance. "You may continue to train her."
They walked to the door. Slava stepped aside, but Lance didn't move from the door. He bared his teeth and growled. The twins looked at each other and then turned around.
"Kandice, it was a pleasure to meet you."
They turned back to Lance and pushed him aside. He grabbed onto one twin by the shirt. Lance's whole body stiffened, and when the twin removed his hand, Lance fell to the ground.
Slava followed them to the door, yelling in Italian. The twins responded in calm unison. Kandice heard the anger in his voice—and even a little fear—as he followed the twins outside.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'll be fine."
She stood and walked over to help Lance up. When he was back on his feet, Slava came back in.
"What was that about?" Lance asked.
"Nothing," Slava said.
"What did you say?" Lance asked.
"Nothing." Slava walked away, leaving Lance and Kandice alone.
Kandice heard the door to Slava's room slam shut and jumped a little. He'd never lost his temper before in front of her, and it made her arms cold.
INTERLUDE IV
Emerald Nation, Fencura
Abaze and Adaku sat at the table in the private dining room. The table seated eight. But they'd only be having dinner with their mother and father, for their father had told them all they'd have a family dinner without others joining them. Normally, dinner was time for their father to listen to his advisors and make decisions for the next day.
The diamond chandelier hanging over the table broke the evening light into rainbows and brought a colorful dazzle to the room and all its prestige. The paintings in the room were filamented with gold, and the floor was covered with animal furs from beasts of exotic lands. All the candleholders were made of gold or silver with candles that had been lit earlier.
Abaze eyed the crossed scimitars over the fireplace, which had been given to his father by the greatest blacksmith in Zaire. He'd always admired the weapons and knew one day they would be his. But he wouldn't display them above a fireplace that rarely saw use, he'd carry them at his side.
The door opened and their mother and father entered. Rayowa took a seat next to her children while Mobo sat at the head of the table. Their mother looked a little pale and incredibly tired.
"Are you okay, mother?" Adaku asked.
"Just tired," Rayowa said. "I just need a good night's sleep."
Everyone went silent as a servant pushed in a cart covered with various plates of food. It was the finest dinner they'd had in some time, with steamed lobster and steak cuts from the finest cows in the land. Their plates were put in front of them and they all took a few bites before Mobo raised his eyes to his children.
"Are you two ready for your naming day?" Mobo asked. "It's fast approaching."
"Dear, can we just have a nice dinner?" Rayowa asked, lowering her glass of wine. "You can talk about this later."
"Well, they've got a lot ahead of them," Mobo said between bites.
Not unless he finds out about Mitaire, Adaku transmitted which drew Abaze's attention away from the food.
Will you stop? Abaze transmitted.
You know Mitaire is probably the reason you weren't doing well with your training, Adaku transmitted.
You were having just as much of a hard time as me, Abaze transmitted.
"I know they do," Rayowa said to Mobo, whose face had turned stern, almost sour. "Which is why they must have their head prepared for it. I won't tolerate them not being ready."
"Enough, please?" Rayowa asked and their father glanced at the two of them, then continued eating.
A servant entered carrying a jug of wine, which she offered to all of them. The king waved for her to come over and lifted his cup to her. She went around and poured the liquid into all their cups, then the king waved her away with his hand. She bowed and slowly closed the door behind her.
"If you'll stop being hard on them, we can have them start preparing for their name day tomorrow," Rayowa said. "Now, I'm going to my room."
"But, Mom, you barely ate anything," Adaku said.
"It's okay, dear." Rayowa rose from her seat.
Adaku could see that her hands were shaking even though she tried to hold them still. She left the room, leaving the twins with their father, who ate in silence while occasionally looking at one of them.
They're going to make us start preparing tomorrow, Abaze transmitted.
Abaze, we need to be helping each other out, not fighting as much as we have, Adaku transmitted.
Fine, we'll call a truce since we have to take this on together, Abaze transmitted. But I still don't forgive you.
* * *
The twins spent their early morning with Kelechi, training their minds, but still failing to progress in any meaningful way. They all sat in silence as the source-light shone through the windows and warmed the frigid room. Abaze and Adaku sat with their eyes closed, focusing on their thoughts when Kelechi abruptly rose from his position.
"We're going to have to cut our training short today," Kelechi said. "I've heard that you two are to begin preparing for your naming day today, so it's best you don't spend too much time here this morning. We can make up for it later."
Both the twins nodded and started making their way toward the exit when Kelechi spoke in the softest tone they'd ever heard from him. "You two are amazing children, and I know you will end up being powerful rulers of Zaria."
"Thank you, Kelechi," the twins said at the same time, then turned and left.
Once they reached the bottom of the stairs, a servant found them and ushered them to their rooms. Several other servants were already waiting in their common room, getting clothes together for the twins. They both looked at the clothes they were to wear for their naming day ceremony, and though they were fancy, they looked oppressive and uncomfortable.
They took the clothes into their rooms and the servants helped them slip into the attire. When they emerged back into the common room, they each glared at the other—both looking uncomfortable with sour expressions.
"Do we have to wear these?" Adaku asked one of the servants.
"Yes, your highness, these are quite exquisite," the servant answered. "You both look marvelous."
"How long do we have to be in these for?" Abaze asked.
"A few hours," she replied. "Don't worry, you two will have such a grand time that it will go by in the blink of an eye."
The servants made sure their faces were cleaned and their hair was neat, before walking with them in a big procession toward the chamber. They walked with haste b
ecause they both wanted to get the practice over. Inside the chamber, their father waited with several other servants.
"Good, you made it in time," Mobo said as the servants went about the chamber to make sure that everything was properly placed. "We're practicing in here, but when your real naming day comes, we will do it out in the courtyards so that hundreds may observe."
They had laid a long red rug down the middle of the chamber, in between rows upon rows of empty benches. Once the chamber was ready, the servants filled some of the benches to become a practice crowd for the twins.
"Now, you two take a place at the end of the rug," Mobo said. "On your actual naming day, you'll come through the door led by your mother, but she isn't here, for now, so you'll have to pretend."
The twins took their spots and turned to their father, who waited for them at the other end. He stood by a table with a large bowl on it. They glanced at one another and rolled their eyes, making sure their father didn't see.
Do you ever think we are going to get our mental training down, Abaze transmitted, already bored with the practice—his mind began to wander.
Remember, Kelechi told us it would take some time, Adaku transmitted, though she too grew bored with the ceremony's practice.
"You'll each be given a candle," Mobo said, and a servant rushed over to hand them each a lit candle in a golden carrier. "Alright, now you two start walking slowly toward me."
I figured with us having such an ability, we would be able to pick it up faster, Abaze transmitted as they started walking toward their father.
We'll get it, Adaku transmitted. Maybe we just need to practice more.
"Both of you need to stand up straighter," Mobo said, "and hold your shoulders back."
They adjusted their posture as they walked. The melting wax from the candles fell into their carriers and the flames grew stronger.
I can only spend so long trying to clear my thoughts, Abaze transmitted.
Then, it's probably going to take you longer, Adaku transmitted and smiled. But when she noticed her father's curled lip, she returned to a stoic expression.
They reached the table and stopped for Mobo's directions. "Now, each of you lights the candle on the table that is closest to you. No, Adaku, don't turn the candle like that or you'll spill wax everywhere."
